"Eye of the Storm"
Book by McKinley Johnson
Music and Lyrics by McKinley Johnson, David Taylor and Marshall Titus
This show is not recommended for children ages 12 and under due to some language and content.
Performance and ticket information:
Opens: Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 7:30pm;
Opening Night Party following the performance
at Winberie’s Restaurant at 151 N. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park
Performances:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
February 21st through March 15th
November 4, 2008 - the world celebrates the historic election of Barak Obama, America’s first African-American president. In the following days of unprecedented 24-hour global news coverage, many long-deferred discussions were finally taking place. But one name was absent from these discussions, the name of the man whose vision and passion were largely responsible for shaping the direction and tenor of the Civil Rights Movement. The name of the man who convinced Dr. King to adopt Gandhi’s principles and methods of non-violent protest; who was the architect of the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech; who was a founder, along with Dr. King, of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Yet most of us have never heard his name. His name was Bayard Rustin.
Eye of the Storm explores the storm that swirled around Bayard Rustin, including his banishment from the movement by Dr. King for several years. Why would someone who was so integral to the success of the movement be cast out? Bayard served three years in a federal prison for being a Conscientious Objector during WWII. Bayard was a member of the Communist Party during the 1930’s. And last, but definitely not least, Bayard was a gay African-American with a white lover. He was not welcome at the table.
Using the theatrical device of appealing to Madame History to correct this omission from our story, Eye of the Storm revisits 1957 and those tumultuous relationships. Storm is illuminated by an incredible original score which draws from the rich black musical traditions including spirituals, musical theatre, blues, jazz, Motown, gospel, choral and R&B. Its music is as powerful as the people whose story is being told.
Eye of the Storm is written and directed by McKinley Johnson, the award-winning playwright, director and actor. He most recently directed the critically acclaimed production of Black Nativity for the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago.
Hatch Auditorium
1000 N. Ridgeland,
Oak Park, IL 60302
For more information or to order tickets, call (708) 802-1723 or check our tickets page to see if they are available online.
This show is not recommended for children ages 12 and under due to some language and content.